Waldorf salad was invented around 1893 – 1896 at the Hotel Waldorf in Manhattan NY. Danes have since then taken this wonderful salad to heart. It’s enjoyed mostly during the fall and winter months and in some families it may also be found on the Christmas table. There are of course many variations of this salad. It can be made with mayonnaise or yogurt and in Denmark some may also add a little whipped cream to the dressing. It can be served as an appetizer or as a side dish to game. This recipe comes from my sister Jonna who makes a “knaldgod” or fabulous Waldorf salad. Enjoy!

Waldorf Salad

Ingredients:

2 1/2 deciliter Creme Fraiche (212 g or 7.5 oz)

1 1/2 tablespoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

juice from a small 1/2 lemon

3 celery stalks

400 gram grapes (14 oz)

100 gram walnuts (5.3 oz)

2 apples (I use Honeycrisp apples)

Directions:

Combine Creme Fraiche, sugar, salt and lemon juice, set aside. Clean and cut celery into small pieces. Cut grapes into halves. Chop walnuts into small pieces. Leaving the peel on the apples, dice them into bite size pieces. Add celery, grapes, walnuts and apples to Creme Fraiche. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve. Serve on a bed of Boston lettuce or decorate with celery leaves, top with walnuts. Enjoy!

Fall has finally arrived and the temperatures here in Virginia are so much more comfortable. We have gotten quite a bit of rain lately, which I love, and with the gloomy dark skies comes a desire for comfort food. And Pot Roast is just that. Inhaling the sweet aroma while the roast is cooking and tasting the delicious fall-apart meat and tender veggies…it’s a little piece of heaven!

Pat beef dry with a paper towel, Season the roast all over with 1 tbsp salt and 1 1/2 tsp pepper. Dredge the roast in flour and set aside. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the roast and brown all sides, each side should take about 4-5 minutes. Remove the roast to a large plate.

Add 2 tbsp olive oil to Dutch oven and add carrots, onions, celery, leeks, potatoes, garlic, 1 tbsp Kosher salt and 1 1/2 tsp pepper. Cook over medium heat for 10 – 15 minutes until tender but not browned. Add wine and bring to a simmer, Add chicken stock, 2 tsp Kosher salt, 1 tsp pepper. Break up whole plum tomatoes a little and add the remaining 28 oz can of tomato juices. Put the roast back into the pot and bring to a simmer. Cut thyme and rosemary into small pieces, place on a small piece of cheese cloth, close cheese cloth ends into a bundle and tie closed with butchers string. Place herb bundle into pot and submerge into liquids. Cover Dutch oven with lid and place into oven. Cook in oven for 2 1/2 hours until meat is tender or about 160 degrees internally. Note: turn the heat in the oven down to 250 degrees after about 1 hour of cooking.

Remove the meat to a cutting board. Remove herb bundle and discard. If needed, skim off fat from the sauce. Place half the sauce into a food processor and puree until smooth. Pour the puree back into the Dutch oven and bring to a simmer on the stove top.

Place 2 tbsp flour and butter in a small dish and work them together using a fork. Stir into sauce and simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring until thickened. Taste for proper seasoning.

Remove string from roast and slice the meat. Place on serving platter and pour some of sauce over. Serve warm and enjoy!